Travel insurance might not be the most exciting part of planning your holiday, but according to Martin Lewis — the UK’s most trusted money-saving expert and founder of MoneySavingExpert — it’s one of the most important. Over the years, Lewis has repeatedly warned travellers that skipping or delaying insurance is one of the most expensive mistakes people make. His advice goes beyond simply finding the cheapest deal — it’s about getting the right cover for your age, health, destination, and travel plans, so that if something goes wrong, you’re not left with huge bills or a ruined holiday.
Whether you’re a student heading off on a gap year, a family booking an annual summer getaway, or a retiree enjoying cruises and long-haul adventures into your 70s or 80s, Lewis has clear guidelines on how to protect yourself. In this guide, we’ll break down what Martin Lewis says about buying travel insurance, comparing the best deals, finding options for pre-existing medical conditions, and ensuring seniors get full protection — plus his tips on COVID-19 cover, Brexit-related issues, and more.
When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?
Martin Lewis has a simple, memorable rule for when to take out a policy:
ASAB — As Soon As you Book.
This mantra is one of his most repeated travel tips because the timing of your policy can be just as important as the cover itself. Lewis warns that many travellers wrongly assume insurance only matters while they’re abroad. In reality, the moment you’ve confirmed your trip, you’re financially exposed — and anything that forces you to cancel could mean losing everything you’ve paid.
Buying your policy the same day you book means you’re covered if you fall ill, suffer an injury, or face other serious events such as a family emergency, redundancy, or even being called for jury service before you travel. Insurance taken out only days before the trip won’t help you in those situations — because the event happened before your cover started.
As Lewis bluntly puts it:
“Don’t be the person who asks, just before travelling, whether it’s possible to get a refund after cancelling for health reasons… If you didn’t have a policy at the time of booking, you’ll likely get nothing.”
In short: book your trip, buy your insurance — ideally on the same day. This small step can prevent major financial loss and give you peace of mind from the moment your holiday plans are set in motion.
Comparison: How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance
With so many travel insurance providers on the market — each offering different prices, benefits, and small print — finding the perfect policy can feel like a minefield. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, simplifies this process by showing travellers how to match a policy to their exact needs rather than just picking the cheapest headline price.
His first piece of advice? Start with trusted comparison tools. Websites such as the MoneySavingExpert guides, Confused.com, or other reputable UK comparison platforms allow you to view dozens of policies side by side. This makes it much easier to spot the differences in coverage limits, exclusions, and excess fees. These tools often include customer reviews and breakdowns of what’s really included, helping you avoid unexpected gaps in cover.
Step 1 — Identify Your Trip Type
Ask yourself:
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Is this a one-off holiday? → Single-Trip Insurance might be cheaper.
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Will you be travelling multiple times this year? → Annual or Multi-Trip Insurance could be more cost-effective.
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Are you on a gap year or extended overseas stay? → Specialist long-duration policies are designed for that.
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Booking a cruise? Not all policies cover cruises automatically — you may need a dedicated “cruise travel insurance” policy.
Step 2 — Check the Coverage Limits
Lewis warns travellers not to be blinded by low prices. The best travel insurance should include:
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Medical cover: Ideally at least £1–2 million worldwide (more for USA/Canada travel, where healthcare costs are high)
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Cancellation cover: Enough to refund the full cost of your trip
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Baggage cover: Protection for loss, theft, or delay of baggage and personal items
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Activity cover: If you’re doing sports, trekking, or adventure activities — make sure they’re included
Step 3 — Understand the Exclusions
Every insurance policy will have exclusions. Lewis stresses the importance of reading the small print before you click “buy”. Common exclusions include:
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Pre-existing medical conditions (unless declared and accepted)
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Upper age limits (particularly for travellers over 70, 75, or 80)
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COVID-19 disruptions (only some offer full pandemic cover)
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Certain high-risk activities or destinations
Step 4 — Consider Your Age and Health
If you’re a senior traveller, Lewis recommends looking for travel insurance with no upper age limit that allows you to declare health conditions without inflated costs. For those with pre-existing conditions — such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer — specialist providers like AllClear or Staysure can offer tailored cover after a medical screening.
Step 5 — Don’t Just Chase the Cheapest Price
As Martin Lewis puts it:
“The cheapest policy is NOT always the best protection.”
A bargain-basement policy might mean:
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Low claim limits
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High excess fees
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No cover for the specific things you need
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A higher risk of claim disputes
His guidance is clear — buy based on the right protection, not just the lowest premium. Spending a few extra pounds on a better policy can save you thousands if things go wrong.
Travel Insurance for People with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Martin Lewis emphasizes that honesty is crucial when it comes to declaring pre-existing medical conditions on your travel insurance application. Failing to disclose such conditions can render your policy invalid, leaving you without coverage when you need it most. Pre-existing conditions can include a wide range of health issues such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, recent surgeries, mental health conditions, or being in recovery from an illness. Lewis highlights that insurers need an accurate picture of your health to offer valid coverage and to avoid complications if you need to make a claim.
Because standard travel insurance may exclude or restrict cover for many medical conditions, Lewis recommends seeking out specialist insurers known for accommodating travellers with health concerns. Companies like AllClear Travel specialize in policies that include cover for pre-existing conditions, providing tailored options that better fit your medical profile. In many cases, you will be required to undergo a medical screening questionnaire as part of the application process. This screening helps the insurer assess your health risks accurately and ensures that the policy you purchase matches your specific conditions.
Lewis’s advice is clear: by fully declaring all relevant medical information and choosing a policy designed for your needs, you protect yourself from the risk of claim denials and financial loss. This approach might involve paying a slightly higher premium, but the peace of mind and guaranteed coverage far outweigh the cost. For travellers with health issues, investing the time to find the right policy with appropriate medical screening is essential to enjoying a safe and worry-free trip.
Travel Insurance for Seniors: Over 70, 75, or Even 80 Years Old
Travel insurance for seniors, particularly those aged 70 and above, can often come with higher premiums due to increased health risks associated with aging. Martin Lewis acknowledges that while insurance for travellers aged 70+, 75+, or even 80+ may be more expensive, it is crucial not to compromise on the quality of cover.
Lewis strongly recommends choosing policies that have no upper age limit. Many standard insurers cap their coverage at a certain age, which can leave older travellers without options or force them to accept policies with severely limited protections. Instead, opt for insurers that specifically cater to seniors and offer comprehensive medical coverage tailored to their needs.
Furthermore, Lewis emphasizes the importance of ensuring that policies include coverage for pre-existing chronic conditions—which are common among older travellers. Rather than risking uninsured medical expenses, seniors should seek out policies that allow for full disclosure of medical history and provide appropriate protection, even if they have ongoing health issues.
In summary, Lewis advises older travellers to:
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Look for travel insurance policies explicitly designed for seniors, without upper age restrictions.
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Ensure the policy offers full medical coverage suitable for their age group.
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Confirm that chronic or pre-existing health conditions are covered, ideally through insurers experienced in handling such cases.
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Be prepared to pay higher premiums as a fair price for better protection and peace of mind on their travels.
By following these tips, senior travellers can enjoy their trips with confidence, knowing they won’t face unexpected costs due to uncovered medical issues or age-related exclusions.
Conclusion – Martin Lewis’s Key Takeaways on Travel Insurance
Martin Lewis’s advice on travel insurance can be summed up in one rule: leave nothing to chance. Buy your policy ASAB – As Soon As you Book, choose insurance based on the scope and quality of cover rather than just the lowest price, always declare any pre-existing medical conditions honestly, and make sure your policy is tailored to your age, health, and travel plans.
By following these principles, you can avoid situations where an unexpected event — illness, accident, or cancellation — turns your dream trip into a financial disaster. With the right protection in place from day one, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing you’re covered no matter what happens.
